The Corona epidemic has spoiled the Vatican and Pope Francis Christmas celebrations, as there will be almost no worshipers to maintain social distancing measures, and St. Peter’s Basilica will hold the traditional mass earlier to respect the curfew.
The Vatican Radio said that Christmas is a celebration of participation and saturation with the spirit of solidarity this year, as the Corona epidemic changed the plans of the majority of families in the world – Christian or not – and forced everyone to isolate at home, and Pope Francis did not escape from the rules, and as the head of millions of believers in the world , It sets an example for celebrating Christmas indoors in the Vatican.
Pope Francis said Wednesday, “In this year full of restrictions and harassment, let us think of the feast of the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph: It was not easy! How many difficulties! How worries! And yet they have been guided by faith, hope and love.” I hope the same is true for them. Ours too. “
The Peruvian newspaper “El Comerthio” indicated that the concern lies with the 84-year-old Argentine Pope, and those around him, especially since it was revealed that two cardinals close to him were infected with the Corona virus, including the Polish Konrad Karajowski, the priest responsible for the Pope’s charitable work, and he is He is being held in a hospital in Rome.
The second is Italian Cardinal Giuseppe Bertillo, 78, head of government of the Vatican. He often meets them in their private residence in Santa Marta.
Just as it happened in April, last Easter, when the Pope did not perform the traditional foot washing and conducted the main mass in the nearly empty Saint Peter’s Square, Christmas celebrations will also be restricted in December.
Francisco will preside over the traditional Christmas mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at 7:30 p.m., not 9:30 p.m. as usual, due to the fact that a curfew has been implemented in Italy since 10 p.m. in this second wave of the virus that is infecting many countries. in Europe.
Since the year 2020 has already happened in the masses that take place in the main church of the Vatican, attended only by the priests and nuns residing in the Holy See, the “Rooster” Mass will be attended by very few attendees and there will be no children anymore carrying offerings to the Child Jesus, and no Rather in the central altar of the church, but rather in the apse, is a majestic bronze reliquary vessel.
Pope Francis stressed that the restrictions imposed in various parts of the world to limit the outbreak of the Corona virus are a good occasion for people to review their position on Christmas, and he warned at the beginning of this week that consumerism has become prevalent in Christmas celebrations, saying: “There is gift selling, shopping and urgency. … the consumer has stolen Christmas from us. “
The Pope called on the faithful to return to the true original spirit of Christmas, adding that he was in Bethlehem when Christ saw the light, “poverty and much love.”
The Pope called on people to take a “concrete step toward Christmas” and not complain about the restrictions imposed at this difficult time, but rather do something for those with fewer resources.
He continued: “In order for Jesus to be born in us, we must restore our hearts to be like Mary’s heart: free from evil, hospitable, and ready to receive the Lord.”
Source link